It has been an extremely positive start for Europe at the Ryder Cup, who came into the day winning 5-3 despite losing the first morning fourballs. However, the poor start seemed to only inspire Team USA's Justin Thomas, who cupped his ear in an 'I can't hear you' gesture to the home crowd at Le Golf National course.
Thomas, paired with Jordan Spieth for the day two opener, found himself carrying Team USA's sole hopes of a morning win after Garcia/McIlroy beat Koepka/Finau, Molinari/Fleetwood beat Reed/Woods and Casey/Hatton beat Johnson/Fowler.
After holing his putt, Thomas performed the fairly innocuous gesture, which provoked quite the reaction from the gathered crowd.
The U.S. has lost seven straight matches, but Justin Thomas is still out here doing the thing. #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/60U698dIfS
— By The Flagstick (@ByTheFlagstick) September 29, 2018
The Ryder Cup is renowned for its considerably more energetic atmosphere and Thomas seemed to simply play towards that. However, speaking on Sky Sports, former Europe captain Paul McGinley disagreed with the act and advised against 'inciting the crowd.'
Ah piss off McGinley, let him "incite the crowd" all he wants. That's the whole point.
— Eoin McDevitt (@EoinMcDevitt) September 29, 2018
Got to disagree with McGinley, I love the playing to the crowd from both sides, it’s the one golf event you can do it and it happens once every two years, can only be a good thing for the game! I do disagree with the booing though, but the shhhing, great banter in my opinion 👍🏻
— Alex Stubbs (@stubsy9) September 29, 2018
Justin Thomas just put his hand to his ear and asked if the crowd can hear him....
Someone shout 7-3 please #RyderCup— Your Golf Travel (@yourgolftravel) September 29, 2018
Justin Thomas cups his ear giving it the big I am and seconds later Europe go 8-3 up 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
— Paul Rice 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆#19 (@ricey0101) September 29, 2018
Bore off McGinley, love a bit of that in the Ryder Cup! 👂🏼👂🏼
— The Premier Prediction League (@The_PPL) September 29, 2018
Elsewhere, the afternoon fourballs have been announced. It will see Rose/Stenson v Johnson/Koepka, Garcia/Noren v Watson/Simpson, Molinari/Fleetwood v Woods/DeChambeau, Poulter/McIlroy v Spieth/ Thomas.
